Steam iron with position controlled valve



July 24, 1962 Filed April l5, 1959 H. s. FOSTER 3,045,370

STEAM IRON WITH POSITION CONTROLLED VALVE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Harold S. Foser bww@ His Atfovhej 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 24, 1962 H. s. FOSTER STEAM IRON WITH POSITION CONTROLLED VALVE Filed April 15, 1959 July 24, 1962 H. s. FOSTER 3,045,370

STEAM IRON WITH POSITION CONTROLLED VALVE Filed'Apnzil l5, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Imvemovl Harold 5. Fo'ser,

hgh/@Q @m His Ai'omgg United States aterit 3,045,370 STEAM IRON WITH PSITION CONTROLLED VALVE Harold S. Foster, Ontario, Calif., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 806,650 15 Claims. (Cl. 38--77) This invention relates to irons having liquid containing reservoirs, and more particularly to steam and spray irons.

The introduction of the steam iron with a self-contained liquid reservoir, provided the housewife and the commercial user with a convenient appliance that could be safely used to iron various garments and articles of clothing. Because of its versatility, the steam iron has been Well received by the public. Yet, since its introduction, the steam iron has had one serious drawback. It has always been diicult to till and empty the reservoir because of the presence of entrapped air within the reservoir enclosure.

In view of the foregoing, an object of my invention is to provide, in a steam iron having a self-contained liquid reservoir, an improved structural system which permits the iron to be filled easily and effectively.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved steam iron structure which permits the iron to be emptied easily and effectively.

A more particular object of my invention is to provide a simple and reliable mechanism for venting the reservoir of a steam iron, thus facilitating the filling and emptying thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a valve structure for automatically venting the reservoir of a steam iron through the soleplate thereof, when the iron is in position for lling or emptying of the liquid reservoir.

A further object of my invention is to provide in steam and spray irons improved controls for facilitating the liquid filling and emptying operations without in any way interfering with normal operation of the iron.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a steam iron having a self-contained liquid reservoir, a new and improved pressure control and venting valve.

A more general object of the invention is to achieve the above objects by means of a structure which is economical to manufacture and thoroughly safe and effective in operation.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the lfeatures of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which;

FIG. l is a side elevation, parti-ally in section, of an iron embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l showing a preferred pressure control valve and the steam chamber cover assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing an alternative pressure control valve;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of an iron embodying the invention, showing the iron in position for filling, and,

` pressure.

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FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing the same structure in position for emptying.

Referring now in greater detail to FIG. l of the drawing, a steam iron, indicated generally at lil, may be seen to comprise a soleplate 11 to which is secured a cover 12 and an operating handle 13. The soleplate 11 is preferably cast from a metal such as aluminum or the like, with an electrical heating element cast in position. The heating element preferably is of the sheathed type in which an electrical resistance element 14 extends through an outer protective sheath 15, with the heating element separated from the outer sheath by an electrical insulating compound resistant to heat, such as a mass 16 of granulated and compressed magnesium oxide or the like. In the usual manner, the heating element extends in a loop commencing at the rear of the iron along one side to the forward or pointed end of the iron, and then rearwardly along the other side. Thus, heat distribution is uniform, especially when an aluminum soleplate is employed in the iron.

The iron includes means for generating vapor under While typically an iron such as this may be used to convert 'water into steam, obviously other liquids may be employed. While other systems are available for generating vapor or steam under pressure, such as the steam boiler system, a flash steam generator system, capable of converting water drop by drop instantaneously into steam is preferably described. For this purpose the soleplate 11 is provided with a steam generating cavity 17. The liquid or water discharged through an orifice 1S in a steam control valve body 19 is converted into steam on contact with the walls of cavity 17. The steam generated is confined and directed over the heated upper surface of the soleplate by means of a coverplate -assembly 20 which is secured to the soleplate by means of fastening devices 21. The coverplate assembly may include a cast coverplate 22 which extends over the steam generating cavity 1'7 and a substantial portion of the area of the upper surface of the soleplate. A steam dome 23, preferably formed from a material which is a relatively poor conductor of heat, such -as stainless steel or the like, is secured to the upper surface of the coverplate 22. The steam dome 23 is secured to the coverplatein any suitable fashion to provide a vapor-tight seal. As shown, the steam dome 23 includes an annular portion 24 which is adapted to be received in a circular recess in the coverplate. An outwardly extending flange of the steam dome may be apertured to receive projecting lugs 25 of the cover-plate, which lugs, upon assembly, are flared over to fasten the `dome securely in position. The steam dome 23 may be used to support various components of the iron. For instance, the steam dome may carry a pressure balancing tube 26. This tube when employed transmits the pressure from the ash steam generator to the liquid reservoir presently to be described. All connections to the steam dome are made liquid-tight by brazing, metal spinning, or other suitable techniques.

As shown, the iron is provided with steam ports 27 opening through the soleplate 11 to the material or article of clothing to be ironed. The coverplate 22 is preferably provided with ribs 22a to channel steam flow from the steam generator through a pressure regulating valve 28 (to be described in connection Wit-h FIG.,2) before exhaust through steam ports 27.

For facilitating the iilling and emptying of the iron, a steam check valve generally indicated at 2'9 is secured within the coverplate 22 as shown. The steam check Valve comprises a steam check insert seat 30 which is secured within the coverplate 22. The steam check insert seat is preferably tapered -to accommodate a check ball 31. A screen 32, for iiltering foreign matter from the steam, is secured to the coverplate assembly 22, and spans the steam check valve, as shown. In addition, the screen also acts as an enclosure for the check ball 31. During use, the weight of the steam check ball and the steam pressure in the iron keep the check ball 31 seated, thus preventing steam from passing therethrough to the steam ports 27.

A liquid supply for iron operation preferably is carried within the iron itself. A liquid reservoir 33, appropriately formed of corrosion-resistant metal with sealed joints is housed within the iron in a space under the cover 12 and overlying the soleplate and coverplate assembly. The lower wall of the reservoir 33 is preferably provided with an enlarged aperture adapted to receive the upper portion of steam dome 23, with a sealing gasket 34 being provided at the junction for a fluid-tight connection. The pressure balancing tube 26, and the pressure regulating valve 28 thus project upwardly into the liquid reservoir 33. When the iron is provided with a pressure balancing tube 26 to supply steam pressure to the upper portion of the reservoir as is the case in a combination steam and spray iron, a baffle 35 is located within the reservoir 33 to restrict circulation of steam and liquid, thus conserving steam pressure. It is, of course, essential that the baille 35 be apertured to permit liquid to ow into the area encompassed by the bal-lle and to allow steam pressure to equalize throughout the upper portion of the reservoir. Furthermore, the baffle 35 may serve the `additional function of providing structural support for other components of the iron.

For facilitating the filling and emptying of the liquid from the iron, the iron is provided with a liquid reservoir check valve generally indicated at 36, which is secured to the steam dome 23 and communicates with the liquid reservoir l33 as shown. This liquid reservoir check valve comprises a valve body 37 which is secured to the steam dome 23. The valve body is provided with an orifice 38 and a tapered extension 39 which retains, in cooperative relation, a check ball 40. The liquid pressure in the reservoir keeps the ball check 40 seated over the orifice 38 during ironing.

A valve stern 41 which is provided with a clean-out pin 42 cooperates with the orifice 18 in the valve body 19, to control liquid flow from the liquid reservoir 33 to the ash steam generator. The valve stem 41 is guided in its movement by a bearing bracket 43, having lanced projections 44 engageable in apertures in the baille 35. The valve stem 41 extends upwardly through the top wall of the liquid reservoir and terminates in a push button 45. The push button 45 may be provided with a latching shoulder 46 engageable with an interior projection 47 on the handle 13. A compression spring 48 encircling the valve stern 41 tends to force the valve stem to its upper position, as shown in FIG. l. In this position, liquid may ilow from the reservoir through orifice 18 into the flash steam generator. If it is desirable to operate the iron as a dry iron, the push button 45 is depressed to engage the latching shoulder 46, whereby the orilice 18 is sealed.

For lling the reservoir 33 with liquid, a fll opening 49 and a funnel 50 are provided at the front of the iron, and arranged so that liquid may be easily introduced into the iron when it is upended on its heel rest. This liquid inlet communicates with the reservoir through a riser 51 extending upwardly into the hollow front handle support 52. Liquid entering the reservoir flows through a lill valve generally indica-ted at 53. This valve may take the form of the till valve disclosed in the co-pending application of Alfred G. Swenson, Serial Number 807,692, led April 20, 1959, now Patent No. 2,991,572, granted July 1l, 1961, and assigned to the same assignee, the General Electric Company. However, I prefer to utilize a ll valve as set forth in the application of Alfred G. Swenson and Harold S. Foster, Serial Number 666,660, tiled June 19, 1957, and asigned to the same assignee, the General Electric Company. The fill valve 53 according to the disclosure therein comprises a valve seat 54, a valve body 55, and a valve disk 56. The valve body 55 ts loosely about the valve stem 41 so as to provide an annular passageway between the valve body 55 and the valve stem 41. A spring 57, which is retained by a cup-shaped disk 58 attached to the valve stem `41 and movable therewith, biases the valve to an open position. A ring 59, which is also attached to the valve stem 41 and which is movable therewith, retains the spring 48 and carries an annular sealing disk 60 which seals the annular passageway between the valve body S5 and the valve stem 41. A liquid spray assembly, such as that disclosed in the application of Alfred G. Swenson and Harold S. Foster, Serial Number 666,660, led June 19, 1957, and assigned to the same assignee, the General Electric Company, may be employed, in conjunction with the invention set forth herein. When such a system is employed, a spray head assembly 61 is arranged within the front handle support to spray liquid through an opening 62 in the front plate. A button 63 operatively connected to the sprayer head assembly, controls the discharge of liquid from the sprayer. For controlling the operating temperatures of the iron, a ternperature control knob 64 is provided in a convenient place on the iron, and is connected by a bead chain 65 to an adjustable thermostat in accordance with conventional practice.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a preferred pressure regulating valve 28 may be seen to comprise a valve seat member secured within the coverplate 22. Steam generated within the cavity 17 is directed upwardly for downward flow through the valve seat 70. From the exhaust side, steam is permitted to flow freely through the steam discharge ports 27. The valve comprises a tube 71, a valve stem 72, a flexible sealing disk 73, and an appropriate securing member or disk 74. The sealing disk 73 is biased upwardly into engagement with valve seat 70 by a compression spring 75. For cooperation with the spring 75, the upper end of the valve stern 72 carries a cap 76 which is held in position by a snap washer 77 `or other suitable means. The compression spring 75 bears against the crimped end of the tube 71 at its lower end and against cap 76 at its upper end. The tube 71 and cap 76 enclose the valve stem 72 to prevent water from splashing into the steam passageway, but the cap 76 is free to move telescopically with respect to the tube 71. Therefore, in operation, steam pressure builds up within the iron until the force exerted on the valve member equals the upward force exerted by the spring 75. Thus, the valve regulates normal operating steam pressure within the iron, yand any excess steam may escape, through the ports 27 in the solep ate.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 of the drawings, wherein an alternative construction of the steam pressure regulating valve and ball check valve is shown. When utilizing this alternative construction in an iron, the soleplate 11 is provided with a suitable recess 81 which communicates with the steam ports 27 as shown. The valve comprises a -body portion 82 which is provided with an orifice 83 extending throughout its length. The valve body 82 `is provided with a shoulder portion 84 to which a sealing disk 85 is secured. In addition, the valve body is provided with a tapered portion 86 which restricts the movement of Ia ball check 87 when the iron is placed on its heel rest. A compression spring 88, which engages the shoulder portion 84 of the valve body at one end and the bottom of recess 81 at the other end, biases the sealing disk 85 upwardly into engagement with a valve seat member 89 secured within coverplate 22. In operation, steam pressure builds up within the iron until the force exerted on the valve `member equals the upward force exerted by the spring 88. Thus, the valve regulates normal operating steam pressure within the iron and any excess steam may escape through the ports 27 in the soleplate.

Having set forth an iron embodying rny invention, the operation of the iron will now be described. Referring to FIG. 4, the orientation of the valve mechanisms of the iron is shown in a suitable position for lling the reservoir with liquid. For practical purposes, the iron is placed on its heel rest with the axis of the iill opening in a substantially vertical position. As shown, the fill valve 53 is in the open position, thus permitting the liquid to flow lfrom the till opening 49, through the reservoir riser 51 and into the liquid reservoir 33. At the same time, the oritice 18 in the stem control valve is closed, thus preventing liquid from entering the steam generating cavity 17. When the iron is upended for the pur-poses of filling it with liquid, the steam check valve 29 and the liquid reservoir check valve 36 are opened automatically as the respective check balls 31 and 40 roll away from their respective valve passageways. The liquid reservoir is vented thereby to the atmosphere through the open passageways to ports 27. As liquid is added to the iron, the air in the reservoir 33 escapes to the atmosphere through the balancing tube 26 and/ or through the liquid reservoir check valve 36 through the steam check valve 29 `and through the steam ports 2.7. This prevents the iron :from becoming airbound. Thus, the iron may be lled with liquid quickly and effectively with the venting of t-he reservoir occurring automatically. When the iron is restored to the normal horizontal -position 1and put in use, the steam pressure and the liquid pressure in the system, respectively, keep the check balls 31 and 40 in closed positions over the valve passageways without interfering with the normal operation of the iron. When the iron is provided with -a pressure balancing tube 26, the liquid reservoir check valve 36 may be eliminated -without in any way interfering with the iilling of the reservoir. In this embodiment, the pressure balancing tube 26 communicates with the steam chamber, and air in the reservoir 33 may pass out to the atmosphere .by way of the balancing tube 26 and the associated passageways. It should also be understood that in the case of a steam iron of the :steam boiler type, a single check valve will accomplish the desired venting to the atmosphere.

If the iron has been in use and it is desired to refill the liquid reservoir, the -push button 45 is depressed to engage the latching shoulder 46 and the iron is placed on its heel rest. With the v-alve stern 41 in this position, the orice 18 is closed, and the annular sealing disk 6u is displaced from the valve body 5'5 by movement of the valve stem 41. The annular sealing disk 60 no longer seals the annular passageway between the valve body 55 `and the valve stem 41. The steam pressure in the system keeps the valve disk 56 in engagement with the valve seat 54, but the pressure in the system is reduced slowly by the steam escaping through the annular passageway. After the pressure in the system has been reduced to a safe value by virtue of the steam bleeding through the annular passageway between the valve body 55 and the valve stem 41, the spring 57 pushes the valve body 55 away from the valve seat 54, thus opening the till valve 53. When the iron is placed on the heel rest and pressure is still in the system, the ball check 31 stays seated in place over its associated passageway until such time `as the pressure in the iron decreases to a safe value. After the pressure in the iron is released, the ball check 31 rolls to the position shown. Thus, the pressure in the i-ron is released gradually, thereby preventing the expulsion of scalding liquid from the iron. When the iron is placed on the heel rest, the ball check rolls to the position s-hown. With the iill valve 53 in the open position, the iron is tilled with liquid as previously described.

ln emptying the iron, the push button is depressed and the pressure is allowed to bleed out, at which time the i'ill valve 53 automatically opens, as described above. At this point, the iron is turned upside down and inclined with the pointed end down as shown in FIG. 5. With the iron in this position and the till valve 53 open, the ball checks 31 and 40 are in the positions shown, permitting the ilow of air into the reservoir through the steam ports 27. In the case of an iron employing a pressure 5 balancing tube 26, one would think that While emptying the iron the air could ow freely up the balancing tube and into the tank, thus preventing air locking which gives a slow or non-emptying iron. However, this is not the case. The point at which the air leaves the balancing tube to come into the tank is approximately level with the till valve; thus, there is no pressure diierential causing `the air to ow up the balancing tube and into the tank. For a more positive and faster emptying operation, a liquid reservoir check valve 36 is employed. As can be seen in FiG. 5, the location of this check valve with respect to the till valve is such that air wants to come in through the liquid check valve by virtue of the water head diierential. As mentioned with regard to the lling operation, when an iron of the steam boiler type is provided with venting means according to my invention, it will be necessary only to employ a single check valve for venting the reservoir to the atmosphere.

It is to be understood that when the alternate construction set forth in FIG. 3 is employed in an iron, the steam check valve 29 and pressure regulating valve 28 described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 are eliminated without changing the operation of the iron.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above,

f among those made apparent from the preceding description, are etiiciently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is to be understood that the invention is applicable to all types of electrically heated irons having a liquid containing reservoir.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a steam iron having a normal ironing position, a liquid reservoir, means dening steam escape ports, means for generating steam from liquid in said liquid reservoir, pressure regulating means connected between said steam generator and said steam escape ports, and position responsive automatic means for venting said liquid reservoir to the atmosphere upon movement of the iron angularly from the plane of the normal ironing position to the till or empty position.

2. In a steam iron having a normal ironing position,

a liquid reservoir, a steam generator and steam escape ports; a pressure regulating valve connected between said steam escape ports and said steam generator, rst position responsive automatic -means for venting said liquid reservoir to said steam generator, and second position responsive automatic means for venting said steam generator to said steam escape ports, both of said automatic venting means being eifective When said iron is moved angularly from the plane of said normal ironing position.

3. A steam iron according to claim 2 further defined in that said second automatic means is incorporated in said pressure regulating valve.

4. A steam iron according to claim 3 further definedl in that said pressure regulating valve and said second automatic venting means comprise a reciprocating valve and a check valve.

5. In a steam iron having a normal ironing position,-

ing said liquid reservoir to the atmosphere, closed in said normal ironing position and open in an angular position with respect to the plane of said normal position.

6. In a steam iron having a normal operating position and an upended position of rest, a liquid reservoir, a steam generator chamber and steam escape ports; steam pressure regulating means connected between said steam generator chamber and said steam escape ports, rst means for venting the liquid reservoir to said steam generator chamber when said iron is moved angularly from its normal ironing position to said upended position, and second means for venting said steam generator chamber to said steam ports when said iron is moved angularly from its normal ironing position to said upended position, whereby upon movement of the iron to the till or empty position the venting takes place automatically.

7. A steam iron according to claim 6 further defined in that said venting means are gravity-actuated.

8. A steam iron according to claim 6 further dened in that said second venting means is incorporated in said steam pressure regulating means.

9. In a steam iron having a normal ironing position, a liquid reservoir, a steam generator chamber and steam escape ports, a steam pressure regulating valve connected between said steam generator chamber and said steam escape ports, iirst gravity-actuated valve means closed in normal ironing position for venting the liquid reservoir to said steam generating chamber when the iron is moved from the plane of the normal ironing position to an angular position with respect thereto, and second gravity-actuated valve means closed in normal ironing position for venting said steam generator chamber to said steam ports in an angular position with respect to the normal ironing plane, whereby upon movement `of the iron angularly to the ll or empty position venting of the reservoir through both of said valve means takes place automatically.

10. In a steam and spray iron having a normal ironing position, a liquid reservoir, a steam generating chamber and steam escape ports; a resiliently biased steam valve for regulating steam pressure, said steam valve being connected between said steam generating chamber and said steam escape ports, a first gravity-actuated ball valve closed in normal ironing position for venting the liquid reservoir to said steam generating chamber when said iron is moved to an angular position with respect to normal ironing position, a second gravity-actuated ball valve closed in normal ironing position and for venting said steam generating chamber to said steam ports when the Iiron is moved angularly from the plane of normal ironing position, and a iill valve for the liquid reservoir which is normally biased to a closed position, whereby upon movement of the iron angularly to the till or empty position venting of the reservoir through both of said ball valves take plate automatically, thereby allowing liquid to flow into and out of said liquid reservoir easily and eiectively when the ll valve is open.

1l. In a steam iron having a normal ironing position, means defining steam escape ports, a ash steam generator, a liquid reservoir, a control valve for regulating liquid How from said reservoir to said steam generator, a pressure balancing tube for supplying steam under pressure to said liquid reservoir, a fill valve through which liquid may flow into or out of said liquid reservoir, a pressure regulating valve connected between said steam escape ports and said steam generator for maintaining substantially normal operating pressure, a iirst gravityactuated ball Valve closed in said normal ironing position and opened in an angular position with respect to the plane of said normal ironing position for venting said steam generator to said steam escape ports, and a second gravity-actuated ball valve closed in normal ironing position and opened in an angular position with respect lto the plane of said normal position for venting said liquid reservoir to said steam generator, whereby upon tilting the iron to the ll or empty position and opening the 8 ll valve, water may be added or emptied from said liquid reservoir easily and safely.

12. In a steam iron having a normal operating position for smoothing fabrics and the like, means defining a rest on which said iron may be positioned angularly disposed from said normal ironing position, a liquid reservoir, a steam generator positioned to receive liquid from said reservoir for generation of steam, a soleplate including means defining a steam outlet therein, a pressure regulating valve interposed between said steam generator and said steam outlet means for maintaining normal operating pressure within the iron, a pressure balance tube communicating between said steam generator and the liquid reservoir above the liquid level therein, means defining a iill opening for introduction of liquid into said reservoir, a fill valve associated with said ll opening and having a normally closed position for maintaining steam pressure within the iron, manually operable means for opening said iill valve for introducing liquid into the reservoir, and a position operated vent valve having a normally closed position when said iron is in normal ironing position and opened when the iron is angularly disposed on said rest, said position loperated valve also being in the steam ow path between said steam generator and said steam `outlet and `biased toward its closed position by steam pressure within the iron, whereby when said iron is in an angularly disposed position, said position operated valve moves to an open position to bypass said pressure regulating valve after steam pressure has decreased within the iron.

13. The combination of claim 12, including a second position operated valve normally closed in normal ironing position and opened when said iron is in an angularly disposed position, said second position operated valve being disposed between said liquid reservoir and said steam generator, whereby a parallel path is provided for introduction of air into the interior of said reservoir when the iron is disposed `in an angular position for emptying liquid from the reservoir.

14. In a steam iron, a liquid reservoir, means generating steam within the iron, a soleplate with means deiining steam discharge ports, a normally closed pressure regulating valve maintaining steam pressure within said reservoir and steam generating means, said valve opening responsive to a predetermined pressure to discharge steam to said discharge ports, means for filling said reservoir with liquid including a normally closed till valve, a vent valve closed with the iron in a normal ironing position and opened when said iron is moved to an angular position with respect to the plane of said normal ironing position, said vent valve when open bypassing said pressure regulating valve to discharge steam pressure within the iron and Ialso venting said reservoir of trapped air during introduction of liquid through said ll valve.

15. The combination of claim 14 including a second vent valve in the liquid reservoir normally closed in normal ironing position and opened when the iron is moved to a liquid emptying position to provide an air inlet into the liquid in said reservoir, whereby said reservoir may be emptied of liquid through said ll valve without introduction of air through said ll valve.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 635,761 Ewing Oct. 31, 1899 2,188,010 Miller Jan. 23, 1940 2,596,684 Hedenkamp May 13, 1952 2,763,075 Vance Sept. 18, 1956 2,769,258 Hoecker Nov. 6, 1956 2,892,272 Finlayson et al June 30, 1959 

